Nigerian Afrobeats star Zlatan Ibile has opened up about his grass-to-grace journey, sharing candid reflections with his son on social media regarding the severe financial hardships he faced growing up.

In a video circulating widely across digital platforms, the rapper contrasted his own austere childhood with the comfortable lifestyle and privileges his son enjoys today.

Highlighting the stark differences in their daily lives, Zlatan recounted how difficult it was to secure three square meals a day during his youth, noting the abundance his son experiences.

"It was really hard to eat three times a day. You eat twice a day at school; at home, you keep eating till night," Zlatan told his son.

The "Zanku" creator also reflected on his daily commute to school, which involved walking or taking commercial motorcycles (okada), contrasting it with how his son travels comfortably by car.

Emphasizing the grit and determination behind his current status, the artiste added, "I had to work my ass off to get here," noting that his early struggles taught him invaluable lessons about resilience and gratitude.

Watch the video below:

"It was really hard to eat 3 times a day. You eat twice a day in school, while at home you keep eating till night. You take a car to school, while I used to walk or take an okada. Everything I've gone through in life taught me a lesson"

— Zlatan Ibile https://t.co/u8yDSh3GCs

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) October 25, 2026